1956's The Unique Thelonious Monk was the legendary pianist's second LP for the Riverside label, with which he would have a fruitful relationship that would span six years and over a dozen albums. Though this is, in fact, a piano trio album made up of standards, it is so much more than that might imply as it is also a Thelonious Monk record. As always, his genius for improvisation and interpretation of melody are on full display, a fantastic early record from one of the true iconoclasts of jazz, and another fine reissue from Jeanne Dielman.